10+ Ground Beef Recipes for Dinner Easy and Delicious Family Meals
Ground beef is a popular ingredient for quick and easy dinners. It cooks fast and works in many simple recipes for busy nights.
You can make tasty meals with just a few basic ingredients and little time in the kitchen.
When you want a filling dinner without complicated steps, ground beef recipes are a great choice. They often use pantry staples and give you delicious results the whole family can enjoy.
With some easy ideas, making dinner becomes less stressful and more fun.
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cooking oil
Cooking Instructions
- Heat cooking oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir occasionally to break apart the meat and cook evenly.
- Use the cooked beef as the base for your chosen recipe.
1) Ground Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
This stir-fry is a simple way to get dinner on the table fast. You cook ground beef with broccoli and a tasty sauce.
It’s perfect when you want something easy but flavorful. You can make this meal in about 30 minutes.
Serve it over rice or noodles to make it more filling. The sauce includes soy sauce, beef broth, and a bit of brown sugar.
Cornstarch thickens the sauce so it clings to the beef and broccoli.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Cook ground beef until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in broccoli and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender.
- Mix broth, soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl.
- Pour sauce into the pan and cook until it thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve hot over rice or noodles.
2) Classic Meatloaf with Ground Beef
Meatloaf is a simple and hearty dinner you can make with ground beef. It’s great when you want something comforting without a lot of fuss.
Mix the beef with eggs, onions, milk, and breadcrumbs to keep it moist and tender. Add ketchup or tomato sauce on top before baking for extra flavor.
Bake it at 350°F (175°C) for about an hour until cooked through and firm. Pair it with mashed potatoes or steamed veggies.
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup dried bread crumbs
- 1 onion, chopped
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, mix ground beef, egg, milk, breadcrumbs, onion, salt, and pepper.
- Shape the mixture into a loaf and place it in a baking dish.
- Spread ketchup over the top.
- Bake for 60 minutes or until cooked through.
- Let it rest a few minutes before slicing.
3) Spaghetti Bolognese
Spaghetti Bolognese is a simple, tasty way to use ground beef for dinner. Start by sautéing onions and garlic until soft.
Brown the ground beef to bring out the flavor. Add chopped carrots and celery, cooking for a few minutes.
Pour in tomatoes and let the sauce simmer so the flavors mix well. Serve it over your favorite spaghetti for a filling meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces spaghetti
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Sauté onions and garlic for 3 minutes.
- Add ground beef, cook until browned.
- Stir in carrot and celery, cook 5 minutes.
- Add crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 20 minutes on low heat.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
- Serve sauce over spaghetti.
For more, see the Spaghetti Bolognese recipe.
4) Easy Ground Beef Tacos
Tacos are a quick and tasty dinner you can make any night. Start by cooking ground beef with onions and garlic.
Add a simple taco seasoning mix with chili powder, salt, and pepper for flavor. Use soft or hard taco shells.
Fill them with the beef and add your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, lettuce, and salsa. These tacos come together in about 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 6 taco shells (hard or soft)
- Optional toppings: shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
- Cook onion and garlic until soft, about 2 minutes.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes.
- Warm taco shells according to package instructions.
- Fill shells with beef mixture and add toppings you like.
5) Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef
Stuffed bell peppers are a tasty and easy dinner option. Fill colorful peppers with a mix of ground beef, rice, and tomatoes.
You can add cheese on top for extra flavor. These peppers are great for a family meal or leftovers.
This recipe uses ingredients you likely have on hand. Swap white rice for brown rice or add vegetables like zucchini if you like.
Ingredients
- 6 large bell peppers
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup rice, cooked
- 1 can (16 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut tops off bell peppers and remove seeds.
- Cook ground beef and onion in a pan until browned.
- Stir in cooked rice and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spoon mixture into peppers and place in a baking dish.
- Top with cheese if using.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until peppers are tender.
For more details and variations, check stuffed bell peppers recipes with ground beef.
6) Swedish Meatballs
Swedish meatballs are a simple and tasty dinner using ground beef. They are small, soft, and flavored with allspice and nutmeg.
Brown the meatballs, then simmer in a creamy gravy sauce. Serve them over noodles or mashed potatoes.
The sauce has butter, beef broth, and a bit of sour cream or cream. It’s a cozy meal that is quick to make.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or sour cream
Cooking Instructions:
- Mix breadcrumbs and milk, let soak for 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef, onion, egg, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Form small meatballs and brown in butter over medium heat.
- Remove meatballs, add beef broth to same pan, scraping browned bits.
- Return meatballs to pan, simmer 15 minutes until cooked through.
- Stir in cream, heat gently until sauce thickens, then serve.
For more details, see a Swedish Meatball Recipe.
7) Ground Beef and Gravy
Ground beef and gravy is a simple and comforting dinner you can make in about 20 minutes. It uses easy ingredients you probably have in your kitchen.
Cook the ground beef, then add onions, broth, and seasonings to make a tasty gravy. Serve it over mashed potatoes or rice for a filling meal.
You can customize it by adding mushrooms or herbs for extra flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Optional: mushrooms, thyme
Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Cook ground beef until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Add onions (and mushrooms if used) to the pan; cook until soft.
- Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Slowly add beef broth while stirring to avoid lumps.
- Return ground beef to pan; simmer 5 minutes until gravy thickens.
- Season with salt, pepper, and thyme as desired.
8) Asian Lettuce Wraps with Ground Beef
Asian lettuce wraps are a fresh and tasty way to enjoy ground beef for dinner. Cook the beef with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce for savory flavor.
Spoon the mixture into crisp lettuce leaves. These wraps are quick to make and perfect for a light meal or appetizer.
Add veggies like bell peppers or onions for extra crunch. The mix of sweet and spicy flavors makes every bite delicious.
Use iceberg or romaine lettuce as you like. It’s a great way to enjoy Asian-inspired flavors without much fuss.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce (optional)
- 12 large lettuce leaves
Cooking Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Break it apart as it cooks.
- Stir in onion, garlic, ginger, and bell pepper. Cook until the veggies are soft.
- Mix in soy sauce and hoisin sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Spoon the beef mixture into lettuce leaves.
- Serve right away. Wrap the beef in the lettuce to eat.
Try this easy dish for a quick and healthy dinner.
9) Beef and Cabbage Skillet
This beef and cabbage skillet is a simple and tasty meal you can make quickly. Cook ground beef first, then add fresh cabbage and onions for a filling dish.
You can add tomatoes or carrots if you like. Season with salt, pepper, or a bit of garlic.
This meal cooks in one pan and takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. Serve it with rice or bread.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small head of cabbage, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in onion and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add chopped cabbage and tomatoes, if using.
- Cook, stirring sometimes, until cabbage is tender, about 10-15 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve warm.
10) Mini Ground Beef Meatloaves
Mini ground beef meatloaves are perfect for a quick and easy dinner. Shape the mixture into small loaves or muffins for faster cooking.
You can add cheese, oats, or breadcrumbs to keep them moist. A simple ketchup or BBQ glaze on top adds flavor while baking.
Using a muffin tin makes cleanup easier. These mini meatloaves pair well with mashed potatoes or a fresh salad.
They’re kid-friendly and great for meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup cheese (optional)
- 1/3 cup oats or breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup ketchup or BBQ sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
Cooking Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
-
In a bowl, mix ground beef, cheese, oats, egg, milk, and salt.
-
Shape the mixture into 6-8 mini loaves.
You can also use a muffin tin. -
Spread ketchup or BBQ sauce on top of each loaf.
-
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Make sure the meatloaves are cooked through. -
Let them cool slightly before serving.
For more ideas, check out mini meatloaf recipes.